“After 13 years as one of the few regularly watchable shows on television, there are only two questions worth asking about The Simpsons. Is it still funny? And is it time it was put to sleep? On the evidence of this episode in the latest series, the answer in both cases is, paradoxically, yes. As a downcast Bart remarks mid-way through this episode, called Helter Shelter, “Is it just me, or are you guys getting sick of these crazy adventures?”
News
Watch MacHomer In Action!
You’ve heard us talk about Rick Miller’s show “MacHomer” before. In this two hour, one-man show, Miller presents the tragedy of “Macbeth” through the eyes of one of America’s most beloved families, The Simpsons. But how many of you have actually had the opportunity to see it? Don’t fret. Dateline Alabama has uploaded video clips from the opening act of the show, plus an audio interview with Miller himself. Read More >>>
News
Commercials Hurt Writers
In an article relating to a celebration of Classic TV, a number of points were raised, including the addition of sex gags and cutting the runtime for more commercials in today’s television shows. The article features quotes of Matt Groening having his say.
News
Matt Groening Talks Futurama
“Matt Groening is a proud papa. The Simpsons just celebrated its 300th episode, but he’s especially pleased to see his other animated child, Futurama, get its day in the sun. A first-season DVD will be out March 25, new fans are finding reruns on Cartoon Network, and a few fresh episodes remain to run on Fox, even though the sci-fi satire has ended production. “I’ve gotten more response since it’s been on Cartoon Network than in its years on Fox,” Groening says. “It’s so refreshing to have a network that appreciates the show.” As The Simpsons heads toward its 15th season, Futurama faces early retirement because of inconsistent scheduling and, Groening says, a lack of promotion. The DVD ($31.98 Preorder) includes commentary on the first 13 episodes by Groening, executive producer David X. Cohen, West and DiMaggio. “They’re wild parties, these commentaries,” Groening says. “Billy and John sing along with the theme and make up their own lyrics and talk in their characters’ voices.” Read More >>>
News
‘Topes Fans Camp Out For Tix
Fans of the new Albuquerque Isotopes baseball team didn’t want to take a chance with their tickets. About a half-dozen fans camped out all night Monday to get the first choice for their seats when the ticket office opened at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. By 6 a.m., about two dozen stood in the cold for the premium seats at the new stadium. The AAA Pacific Coast League team, formally known as the Calgary Cannons, got its name from an episode of The Simpsons. Read More >>>
Ratings
Big Fat Greek Ratings Win
CBS took a gamble this week by moving its new show “My Big Fat Greek Life” to 8pm Sundays, to compete against The Simpsons. So how did the shows fare? The gamble paid off in its first week, as The Simpsons ratings were a far cry from a fortnight earlier in which it celebrated its 300th episode. “CBS took 8 p.m. thanks to the strong ‘premiere’ of My Big Fat Greek Life. After a strong debut after Everybody Loves Raymond on Monday night, the Nia Vardalos sitcom showed legs with a 10.6/16, boosting ratings for Becker, 8.6/13, as well. FOX finished second with two episodes of The Simpsons. The new episode, ‘A Star Is Born-Again’ with guest voice Helen Fielding, scored a 7.7/12, while a repeat landed a 7.4/11.” Still, second place isn’t bad, nor is it a new position for The Simpsons to be in. But with a new show, nobody can be too sure what is to come in future weeks.
News
Bankable Bart Simpson
Electronic Media have compiled this years list of the Most Bankable Stars in Syndication. Bart and The Simpsons came in at #4 on their list, following Jerry Seinfeld and just missing out on #3 by the cast of Friends. “Coming in at No. 4 is TV’s longest-running comedy series and longest-running animated show in prime time. Don’t have a cow, but it remains a cash cow for the Fox Network. Neither double nor triple runs seem to be able to slow down its success. Simpsons still holds its own but fans have been upset to learn the writers are mulling an end to the prime-time run two or three years down the road, even if it will play on in syndication forever. Still, young and old alike continue to flock to Springfield. “Bankable because not since Dennis the Menace has America identified so warmly with a yellow-haired troublesome child. It seems that every family has a little Bart running around,” said one panelist.” The Simpsons came in at #5 last year. Read More >>>
News
Lisa Welcome To Apply
“Local women’s college officials reacted with humor to the national attention Smith and Mount Holyoke received in a recent episode of The Simpsons. Lisa Simpson was tempted to cheat in a spelling bee and lose to win a scholarship to one of the Seven Sisters colleges. “Lisa Simpson is welcome to apply to Smith – and she doesn’t need to throw a spelling bee to strengthen her case,” said Laurie Fenlason, Smith’s media relations director. “She’s smart, witty, talented and independent. She’d be in good company here.” Jane Brown, vice president for enrollment at Mount Holyoke, commented, “We say bravo to Lisa for refusing to throw the spelling bee, even though her scruples cost her a free college education. “Lisa sounds like the kind of bright, talented, principled, independent young women who thrive at Mount Holyoke,” Brown added. “We would certainly consider her for early admission — or, in her case, early, early, early admission.” Read More >>>
News
No Longer Just A Fantasy
“If you saw the Simpsons’ episode where Homer is sent off to Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp and thought “that would be cool” well good news, it is real. Promoter Paul Fishof is holding the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in New York City from June 18-22. Confirmed for this year’s bootcamp are Roger Daltrey (The Who), Ace Frehley (Kiss), Markie Mark (The Ramones), Simon Kirke (Bad Company), Bret Michaels (Poison), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad) as well as members from the bands of Billy Joel, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Hall and Oates. The camp attracts everyone from dentists to homemakers. It’s not cheap. Registration for this years event is currently $US5,995 and that doesn’t include getting there.” You can check out more at the official site, or Read More >>>
News
Reality And Morals? D’oh!
“It’s worth remembering that the America which has produced Texas fundamentalism is also producing The Simpsons, which has become so much a part of popular culture that most people have absorbed more of the show’s sensibilities than they may realise. The Simpsons is the rock on which Rupert Murdoch built his American TV empire. This empire is now being used in support of the war effort. Twelve years ago, CNN ruled the Gulf War and Fox News didn’t even exist. Now it is outmuscling CNN in America and changing the ideological landscape. So strong are its ratings that Fox News is rivalling The Simpsons as Murdoch’s American media jewel, but the cartoon, which mocks the tabloid values of Fox, shows no sign of losing its iconic status or its brilliant edge. It is probably the most important entertainment in the world.” Read More >>>
News
Simpsons Head To Sweden
“The Simpsons are going to Sweden! Simpsons producer Denise Sirkot told the Swedish news agencys that The Simpsons will go to the Nobel Prize party in Stockholm! Professor Frink will win the prize in physics, and Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Homer and Marge will follow him to the land that invented meatballs.” Thanks to Christian Hedlund for translating this article. It is believed that this episode will air at the beginning of Season 15 in November this year, in Treehouse Of Horror XIV which will feature Jerry Lewis as Professor Frink Senior. Read More >>> (in Swedish)
News
JK Rowling: Simpsons Nut
“JK Rowling is a Simpsons nut – that’s official! JK’s one of the world’s busiest authors and is constantly bombarded with TV requests. So why did she agree to appear in The Simpsons, as we told you on Wednesday? She’s been a fan of the show for years, and was especially pleased when the programme did a Potter spoof in 2000, with Bart and Lisa going to wizard school. “I love The Simpsons because of the detail – there are so many layers and it works for kids and for adults. That’s one of the reasons I like it so much.” JK Rowling told us then. “When I lived in Portugal, a group of us used to sprint to a cafe after work so we could watch The Simpsons. It was the highlight of our TV week – if only I had known one day that they’d be spoofing me!” The Harry Potter Halloween spoof was a great success. And Simpson’s creator Matt Groening is a huge fan of Harry Potter anyway. But now, he’s gone one step further letting JK playing herself.” Read More >>>